The Royal Boston Hotel by Compass Hospitality

The seafront setting suited me well, and it was quieter than the centre, with a tram stop right outside. My small single room had a roomy wardrobe and a fan, though it got very hot and uncomfortable at night because the window wouldn’t open. I visited in May 2026 for a weekend. The helpful staff and the available facilities were fine for a short stay. There’s a restaurant where you can book breakfast or dinner, but I didn’t eat there since there weren’t vegan options. There’s also a bar with evening entertainment and an outdoor terrace.

The room was tiny, with a low ceiling and a very small window. I’m about 6ft 2 and only just fit. There was no fridge, so the milk we’d bought in advance went off, and the room smelled unpleasant, as did the corridor. When I asked reception for a bigger room, I was told none were available and that the remaining rooms were average size. The website gave a misleading impression. The place felt extremely basic, and the staff came across as unhelpful and unwelcoming. One staff member complained about being tired. The uniforms we saw were basic and unironed. Accessibility was very poor. One lift was out of order, and the other was exceptionally small, nowhere near big enough for a wheelchair or buggy. After less than 20 minutes, we had to leave. They kept my money and refused any refund. I won’t return, and I’d urge people to read the reviews before booking.

The staff were kind and quick to help when we found a bathroom leak in the morning. They even offered us breakfast at no charge as an apology, although the leak wasn’t their fault. We were comfortable in the private flat behind the hotel, which we booked through Airbnb, and enjoyed our night there. The hotel itself felt lively and lovely, and we liked strolling around the bar and lobby in the morning. We’d stay again and recommend the back flat to family visiting the area. The staff’s warmth and responsiveness, along with the reasonable price we paid, made it a good stay.

The triple room worked well for my son, who has autism. It had a separate room for him, so he could have his own space while still knowing I was nearby, which helped him feel at ease. Ashley was amazing and the hotel staff couldn’t do enough for us. The entertainer, whose name I think was Paul, was fantastic and got the crowd involved in his act.